“The Bible” is a library of 66 books written by forty authors (Kings, Princes, Prophets, fisherman, herdsman, tax collectors, etc.) who took notes from GOD’s Spirit (2 TIM 3:16; 2 PET 1:21) – written over thousands of years in different languages and even different continents. Yet for all those variables, this book has a singular message that revolves around the Person of Christ Jesus (PSA 40:7; JOHN 5:39). It is GOD’s divine revelation of Himself – an autobiography!
By GOD’s inspired revelation we clearly learn Who He is, His nature, His desires; His objectives, goals, His plan for the ages through Jesus the WORD made flesh, Who dwelled among us (JOHN 1:14), full of grace and truth!
We learn what GOD has planned for us, and what He expects from us, His children!
The Bible is our guide through life: It’s a self-contained, complete kit, providing all that we need (nothing else required) in order to live godly lives in Christ Jesus through the knowledge of Him (2 PET 1:3).
How To Read, Study and Apply the Word of GOD, The Holy Scriptures
The Bible is a big book; a little intimidating, right? “Where do I start??” Well, how do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time!
Reading through the Bible on a devotional level is asking the LORD “Speak to me today, reveal Yourself to me in this reading of Your Word!” It’s like soaking in a hot tub, something to enjoy and receive the blessings available any time by simply reading the Word of Life!
Studying the Scriptures takes patience and work – like digging in a gold mine. Anything awesome and worthwhile usually isn’t quick or easy, right? But study of the Scriptures delivers even greater blessings that reside deeply hidden within the pages of Scripture (PROV 25:2).
I did a video on how many pastors and Bible teachers study to prepare for sermons and Bible studies which you can watch at the end of this PART 1 of this 2 Part TTUF Topic.
For more information on the Bible and what it’s about, go here to get some S.O.A.P.!
The following is a suggestion for daily devotional reading:
Mon, Tues, Wed – read the Old Testament, starting with Genesis, ending with Malachi.
Thurs, Fri, Sat – read the New Testament, starting with Matthew, ending with the Revelation.
Sundays – besides what you read in church, select any part that you want to read (or repeat from earlier reading).
What Are The Divisions of the Bible? (Look in the Table of Contents in your Bible to view the books of the Bible in each of these Eight Sections):
Section 1) The Torah – Genesis through Deuteronomy (all written by Moses).
Section 2) Old Testament History – Joshua through Esther
Section 3) Poetic Books – Job through Songs of Solomon
Section 4) Major Prophets* – Isaiah through Daniel
Section 5) Minor Prophets* – Hosea through Malachi
* “Major” and “Minor” here don’t refer to the more and less important books of the Bible (it’s ALL important, right?). These words refer to those books that are larger – like Isaiah (66 chapters) or Ezekiel (48 chapters), and those that are smaller – like Amos (9 Chapters) or Obadiah (1 Chapter).
Section 6) The Gospels & Acts – Matthew through Book of Acts
Section 7) Paul’s Epistles – Romans through Philemon
Section 8) General Epistles & Revelation – Hebrews** through Revelation
** Many claim that the epistle to the Hebrews was actually an unsigned letter written by the apostle Paul, and I happen to agree with that claim.
The apostle Paul in 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 said this: “All Scripture is God-breathed.”
The Bible is GOD’s inspired revelation to mankind (that’s knowledge directed by the Spirit of GOD through the different writers of the Scriptures) and we can prove it’s inspired; see: 2 PET 1:20-21; 2 TIM 3:15-17. It’s also inerrant (no mistakes), infallible (perfect) see: PSA 18:30; 119:160; JOHN 17:17. And it’s plenary too (completed by GOD, nothing else needed) see: 2 PET 1:1-3.
The Word of GOD is our spiritual nourishment without which we grow spiritually weak (like we would grow physically weak without food). See 1 PET 2:2; 1 TIM 4:6; MATT 4:4. Spiritual eating (reading, studying the Bible, or being taught the the Word of GOD that is living and powerful; HEB 4:12) is taking in spiritual life. It satisfies us so we’re able to live a spiritually healthy, prosperous, victorious Christian life.
Did you miss the first post of this series, WHAT ABOUT GOD? Check it out here!
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